Building a Laptop Carputer (kinda)

KaBoOoM · 08-23-2006, 04:51 PM

What i want to do is build a laptop essentially for a carputer. The reason I want a laptop is that it will run off its battery. When the car is on the battery will be charged by the alternator. The reason I want to build one is I dont want the laptop screen and certain other components.

I'm not quite sure how I should research this. Only things I have found are barebone setups which come with the screen. Is it possible (everythings possible I know) to build a laptop like this? Tried searching forum, but don't know the keywords I should use to approach this. Any help would be appreciated.

*edit* Would I just be better off working out a low voltage computer? I wanted a laptop so that i could leave it in hibernation for quite a long time without touching the cars battery.

Wiredwrx · 08-23-2006, 05:38 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by KaBoOoM

What i want to do is build a laptop essentially for a carputer. The reason I want a laptop is that it will run off its battery. When the car is on the battery will be charged by the alternator. The reason I want to build one is I dont want the laptop screen and certain other components.

I'm not quite sure how I should research this. Only things I have found are barebone setups which come with the screen. Is it possible (everythings possible I know) to build a laptop like this? Tried searching forum, but don't know the keywords I should use to approach this. Any help would be appreciated.

*edit* Would I just be better off working out a low voltage computer? I wanted a laptop so that i could leave it in hibernation for quite a long time without touching the cars battery.

Welcome,

There are loads of laptop carputers on this forum.

There is also a FAQ about the advantages of a laptop versus a desktop in the car. Look in the FAQ Emporium.

You really must search for the answer.

Michael

Tidder · 08-23-2006, 05:42 PM

Also, have a look at some tank circuits.

And btw, hibernation uses almost no power at all...

I've had my system in hibernation for days with no flat battery.

KaBoOoM · 08-23-2006, 05:45 PM

Wow, never saw the FAQ button and checking the FAQ Emporium

Tidder · 08-23-2006, 05:47 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by KaBoOoM

Wow, never saw the FAQ button and checking the FAQ Emporium

Anshu · 08-23-2006, 07:52 PM

I have a laptop setup and getting it running was a number of headaches. The only reasons I can see to use its
A) You Have one lying around(see me)
B) You must have instant on, hence standby on the laptops battery.
I couldnt think of buying one just for carputer usage, unless it was used and cheap

Wiredwrx · 08-23-2006, 08:52 PM

Well, there are many advantages, hence the FAQ about it.

There are issues with laptop installs, but they can b easily overcome

As far as standby, I use S3 standby on my non-laptop carputer for near instantaneous starts, and I have left it for 96 hours and it started right up, and I am not using any special batteries. You don't need a laptop for that.

Michael

KaBoOoM · 08-23-2006, 10:52 PM

Thanks Wired, if I can do that screw the laptop. I dont have one laying around and I don't know enough about custom laptops. I have built many many computers so that route sounds much better

.

*Edit* Just 'cus I'm paranoid I'll prolly have another car battery in the trunk or something just in case. Will put my project up here when i do it, but that won't be for 8 months at the least lol.

Friedrice · 08-23-2006, 11:05 PM

KaBoOom, why not check out some laptops on ebay, they've got loads of laptops with busted screens selling pretty cheap.

W3bMa5t3r · 08-23-2006, 11:34 PM

Laptops are a great way to go, having built in power managment and all. I've actually found my laptop setup very easy to install, configure and if I ever need to do some major config on the system... I can just pull it out and take it in the house... and like Friedrice said, you can usually get one for a decent price. If you do get a laptop, check out the link in my sig for a way to turn the laptop on automatically when you start the vehicle.

cheers

sxott · 08-23-2006, 11:40 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Tidder

Also, have a look at some tank circuits.

And btw, hibernation uses almost no power at all...

I've had my system in hibernation for days with no flat battery.

Hibernation uses no power at all. You can unplug a compuer that is in hibernate. It only uses however much power your computer may or may not use to light up an LED showing it is on.

KaBoOoM · 08-24-2006, 12:19 AM

Great, now you're all workin' up my indecisive side. Guess I'll have to do some extensive research, I have nearly a year to anyways...

Thanks for all the replies!

Friedrice · 08-24-2006, 12:32 AM

Yep, thats the spirit! reSEARCH. remember, it's your project and it's what works bes for YOU. Good luck!

KaBoOoM · 08-24-2006, 12:59 AM

The broken screen deals on eBay are great, thanks for the tip! (not sure what I'm going with yet though)

Rafster · 08-24-2006, 03:26 AM

I have a laptop as my carpc...

It's a Dell Latitude L400

It's PIII 700MHz with 256MB RAM...

I'm currently am CarPC less because Dell (being the Homos that they are...) made my spu fan on it die....

So... at the last So.Cal. meet I left it with DJIK... and he's making me a new "case" for it out of Plexi....

I love my laptop, because there's no worries about how much power I use...

I use an Auto/Air adapter that costs like $40, and just plug it in to my cig lighter socket and to my Lillip[ut... and I'm done...

Here's a pic of the new "case" that DJIK is making for me...

Peace,

Rafster